Fresh Tracks 2016

Browns Mart Theatre, Darwin

Darwin Fringe Festival - Sunday July 17, 3pm and 5pm

Tracks Dance Company presents a series of short dance works created and performed by local choreographers, artists and dancers. Initially developed through the Tracks Choreographic Program, these works, rich with potential and showcasing a breadth of ideas, make a commitment to the growth of new, independent dance in Darwin. FRESH TRACKS is an opportunity for audiences to experience the physical and conceptual realms being explored within contemporary dance making in our community. This performance also features a special guest appearance by the Grey Panthers, who continue to push the boundaries of choreographic practice for seniors.

Program

In this piece both visual projections and dance are used to explore nature and life, linking to our chosen theme of Rebirth.

Something I Forgot
Choreographed by David McMicken
Performed by David McMicken and Darryl Butler
Music composed by David McMicken

There is just over a decade between the dancers, and yet questions of ‘forgettory’ often arise during their conversations. The experience of memory changes as one ages. The dance concerns the difference between what is remembered and what is actually performed in the present moment through a thinking body that also forgets.

Headspace
Choreographed by Natalie Hafsteins in collaboration with Venaska Cheliah
Performed by Natalie Hafsteins and Kelly Beneforti
Music: Mana by Ran Bagno

Headspace reveals the multiple conversations one has with themselves. The movement explores self-talk and how it can impact our physical and mental state. One must recognise and refocus these interactions to reconcile the mind, body and spirit.

Dancing to the original Lesley Gore version of "You Don't Own Me", the Grey Panthers set their take on the world. Being fabulous unto themselves, reaching back to their younger roots, and putting it out to their audiences that they were and are going to do it their way long before doing it "My Way" had currency. "I'm free and I love to be free. To live my life the way that I want, to say and do whatever I please."

The considered use of descriptive vocabulary in text or spoken word allows an author to create meaning within each sentence or statement, deepening the intended experience for its audience. These experiences are dependent on each individual’s perceptions of what is being said. This piece explores these ideas and how they translate into movement and enhance the experience of a dance audience member. Movement is governed by physiological laws that allow a choreographer to manipulate movement vocabulary, and act as an author in dance. It is up to the choreographer as to what is said and up to the audience member as to what is perceived. The relationship of these two components result in the experience of each witness to the performance.

Thank You

Big thanks to all the Darwin Fringe Festival volunteers, The Grey Panthers, and Mathew McHugh

Government Partners

Tracks Inc is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; and is proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.

Patron: His Honour, The Honourable John Hardy OAM, Administrator of the Northern Territory

Photos:

"That's the difficulty up here [in Darwin], there are not many opportunities [for dance artists] to indulge a little bit in their practice, and give themselves the time and permission to actually do it, which is really valuable." - Lizzi Webb

"I was planning on doing it independently and I was a feeling a bit of overwhelmed, but having that umbrella of support [from Tracks] helped me to not stress so much about all those technical things and having someone there to encourage you always helps you to go forward." - Chloe Lauverjon

"Here [in Darwin] you can be whoever you want to be, and I think culturally that is still true...that sense in which you can develop who you are and you can change who you are in ways that you can't do in other parts of Australia." - Darryl Butler

"...the choreographic program, the studio residency program going into the little performance platform...then the artists can take up those opportunities to go further...it does open up the way that process can happen...you don't want to hold the hand of the artist the whole way through but they've still got [Tracks] to go back to." - Lizzi Webb

"As a company, to allow creative space and time is really important...the support is by just letting things happen." - David McMicken

"I love the artform, collaborating and being together with people who love what I love." - Natalie Hafsteins

"Shows that have a series of small pieces...it's such a nice way to feed [contemporary dance] into the community without drowning the audience in it." - Lizzi Webb